Posts Tagged ‘museum’

Enjoy the last chance to discover the JAINpedia display of fascinating illustrated manuscripts from India with curator Nick Barnard and explore the sacred pilgrimage site of Shatrunjaya through a huge and spectacular painting recently acquired by the V&A.

The JAINpedia display at the V&A will close on 22 September 2013 to allow these fragile and light-sensitive manuscript pages to be rested. Come and see the new display of early Indian paintings, opening 28 September, which will include nine other fascinating and beautiful Jain manuscript folios. The Shatrunjaya painting will also remain on display.

Rules of conduct for monks (detail), page from an Uttarādhyayanasūtra manuscript,

Once again, JAINpedia celebrated Diwali at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London this year. The day began with an entrance by 80 people from Leicester, organised by Kalpit Doshi from the Jain Centre, Leicester. Over 2000 people were recorded to have attended the event, which had a fun-filled programme throughout the day.

Activities included a giant snakes and ladders game, with accompanying song and dance, and some enjoyable ‘shake, shake shake’ moves. Little members of the audience were the playing pieces and rolled the giant die to achieve the position of ‘moksha’ or ‘liberation’ on the giant board.

The V&A has recently acquired a large and splendid painting of Shatrunjaya Hill in Gujarat, one of the holiest Jain sites. Thousands of pilgrims climb up to the temples on top by a path with over 3,000 steps. Detailed paintings like this of the sacred site enable worshippers unable to be there to envisage and contemplate it.

Come and see the painting on karttika-purnima, the special day when these paintings are traditionally venerated, and learn about it. (more…)

A reminder to everyone, that to celebrate the upcoming Paryushana Festival, the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, London are having a series of events and activities at the museum on Sunday, 21st August (more…)

The Institute of Jainology (IoJ) in partnership with the British Library is holding a reception, guided tour and lecture at the British Library on 22nd March 2011. Our expert scholar Prof. Nalini Balbir will give a lecture on the importance and history of the collection of Jain treasures at the British Library. We look forward to seeing members from the Jain community, Jain schools, stakeholders of the JAINpedia project and various others at this event. As the display is only on until the end of June, this is a great opportunity to see the objects on display and learn more about them.

The IoJ recently published the book Jain Tales, with original artwork by Kamini Gupta, and text by Colin Hynson. The book has been designed for young readers, giving them an insight into the Jain religion, ethics and principles through stories that illustrate the Jain teachings. The launch of this book adds to the entry-level book, Discover Jainism, which is part of the English religious education curriculum.

We look forward to seeing more of you at the next event at the British Library on 15th April 2011. This event will be held to celebrate Mahavir Jayanti, a Jain festival celebrating the birth of Mahavira. Look out for more details of this FREE event!